Whether you're configuring a network or verifying device identity, locating your MAC address is a fundamental step. This guide outlines four practical methods to retrieve the MAC address of your Network Interface Card (NIC) on Linux systems.
Method 1: Using the ip Command
The ip utility is the modern standard for network configuration:
Open the Terminal.
Run the command:
ip addr show
Locate the link/ether entry under your network interface. This is your MAC address.
If iproute2 is not installed, use your distribution’s package manager:
Distribution Installation Command
Debian-based sudo apt install iproute2
Red Hat-based sudo dnf install iproute
Arch-based sudo pacman -S iproute2
openSUSE-based sudo zypper install iproute2
Method 2: Using ifconfig
Though deprecated, ifconfig is still available on many systems:
Open the Terminal.
Run the command:
ifconfig
Look for the ether entry under your network interface.
To install net-tools if missing:
Distribution Installation Command
Debian-based sudo apt install net-tools
Red Hat-based sudo dnf install net-tools
Arch-based sudo pacman -S net-tools
openSUSE-based sudo zypper install net-tools
Method 3: Using Network Manager (nmcli)
Network Manager provides detailed device information:
Open the Terminal.
Run the command:
nmcli device show
Find the GENERAL.HWADDR entry for your network interface.
To install and activate Network Manager:
Distribution Installation Command
Debian-based sudo apt install network-manager
Red Hat-based sudo dnf install NetworkManager
Arch-based sudo pacman -S networkmanager
openSUSE-based sudo zypper install NetworkManager
Then start and enable the service:
sudo systemctl start NetworkManager
sudo systemctl enable NetworkManager
Method 4: Using the Graphical Interface
For desktop users, the MAC address can be found via system settings:
Open your system’s Network Settings.
Navigate to your active connection.
Look for Connection Details or Hardware Address — this is your MAC address.
With these methods, you can easily retrieve your NIC’s MAC address on any Linux distribution. Choose the approach that best fits your workflow and system setup.